Stjbthimble fob



May 18 192 5.

T. E. VHLLIAMSON SUBTHIMBLE FOR LATERAL FLUES Filed Sept. 15, 1925 INVENTOR T15 Mews E. WiLlimson Patented May 18, 1926.

THAIJDEU S E. WILLIAMSON, 0F STG'GKTON, CALIEORNIA.

SUBTHIMBLE FOR LATERAL FLUE-S.

Application filed- September 15, 19,25.

This invention relates to improvem nts in frame building construction, and particularly to a device usable in connection with the thimbles or lateral fiues running from the chimney ofthe building to difierent rooms to receive the stove pipes, etc.

With the methods at present in use the terra cotta thimble extends from the chimney to the inner face of the wall, flush with the finished surface of theplaster, which extends to and is abutted against the thimble. If the chimney or building sink relative to each other, as is not infrequent, the cracking of the plaster about the thimble is the inevitable result. Repairs are therefore necessary, since the cracks of course destroy the neat appearance of the room, and the formation of such cracks is usually followed by a gradual chipping and crumbling away of the plaster along the line of fracture.

The principal object of my invention therefore is to avoid any possibility of the plaster cracking, and provide a device which I term a sub-thimble, designed to be placed about the standard thimble, and to be secured to the studs on both sides of the thimble. The device is constructedto serve two important purposes. In the first place it provides a ground for the plaster about the thimble, while positively maintaining said plaster in definitely spaced relation to the thimble. If the bu llding or chimney should then settle to any reasonable extent, the thimble can move freely without coming in contact with and consequently cracking the plaster.

In the second place I have provided means on the device for holding the free ends of the lath adjacent the thimble from lateral movement. The lath ends, which are ordinarily unsupported, are therefore now rigidly held and cannot give when the plaster is applied thereto. This feature also prevents plaster cracking, as will be evident.

A further object of the invention is to produce a simple andinexpensive device and yet one which will be exceedingly eflfective for the purpose for which it is designed.

These objects I accomplish by means of such structure and relative arrangement of parts as will fully appear by a perusal of the following specification and claim.

In the drawings similar characters of ref- Sc a o- 56. 39-

erence indicate corresponding parts in the several v1ews:

Figs. 2 and 3 are side and end views respectively of the device, showing the same as applied to a wall.

Referring now more particularly to the characters of reference on the drawings, the numeral 1 denotes a pair of horizontally 8X- tending and vertically spaced members, whose length is at least as great as the distance between the opposite edges of a pair of studs 2 of the building. The members 1 are preferably of angular cross section, the vertical faces abutting against the studs and horizontal faces extending outwardly of the studs along adjacent edges of said vertical races.

Between the horizontal faces of the memhers I and centrally of the length thereof is fixed a ring 3. This ring is sufiiciently larger than the standard thimble 4 about which the ring is concentrically placed, to leave an appreciable clearance therebetween. The thimble f as usual is supported by the chimney from which it projects and extends so as to be flush with the inner face of the plastered wall.

The width of the horizontal faces of the members 1 is about that of the common lath 5, while the ring projects outwardly of the outer edge of the horizontal faces of the members 1 so as to be also flush with the outer edge of the thimble i and consequently flush with the outer surface of the plaster 6, which is laid on the lath.

The ring 3 therefore serves as a limit gage or ground for the plaster, both as tothe outer surface of said plaster and to keep said plaster a definitely spaced distance from the thimble l.

Ext-ending between the members 1 and abutting against the opposite sides of the ring are vertical and opposite facing channel members 7, of a width just sufficient to receive the ends of the lath therein. This provides adequate support for such ends which project beyond the studs and which are now unsupported and tend to give laterally when the plaster is applied.

The device is applied to the studs by nailing before the lath is placed, so that the latter may be properly located with respect to the various parts of said device. When the Fig. 1 is a perspective view of the device.

plaster is then applied it will be evident that the members 1 and 7 are completely concealed and imbedded in the plaster.

A continuous opening between the plaster and the thimble t will of course remain when the job is finished. This however is no detriment, since a collar is always placed around a stove pipe projecting into the thimble, or if the stove pipe is removed, a cover plate is fitted over the thimble of suflicient size to also cover said opening.

The parts of the device are welded or otherwise securely connected together so as to form a rigid and substantial device.

From the foregoing description it will be readily seen that I have produced such a device as substantially fulfills the objects of the invention as set forth herein.

\Vhile this specification sets forth in detail the present and preferred construction of the device, still in practice such deviations from such detail may be resorted to as do not form a departure from the spirit of the invention, as defined bp the appended claim.

Having thus described my invention what I claim as new and useful and desire to secure by Letters Patent is:

A structure for use in connection with lateral flue-thimbles in frame buildings comprising a ring to surround the thimble in spaced relation thereto, supporting members secured to the ring and adapted to be attached to studs of the building adjacent the thinible, and oppositely facing channel mem bers extending vertically between the supporting members on the opposite sides of the ring.

In testimony whereof I aflix my signature.

THADDEUS E. XVILLIAMSON. 

